Jaguars Acquire Jessie Bates as Jets Weigh McDonald Request

The Jacksonville Jaguars acquired safety Jessie Bates III from the Atlanta Falcons, while the New York Jets faced a trade request from pass rusher Will McDonald IV as the NFL’s Tuesday deadline approached. The Jaguars sent Atlanta a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick for Bates, according to reporting on the deal.

The Falcons agreed to pay most of Bates’s remaining 2026 base salary, reported at $6.5 million. Jacksonville had about $4.3 million in available salary-cap space. The deal adds a veteran safety to a Jaguars defense that was seeking help in the secondary.

McDonald informed the Jets that he wanted to be traded, according to reports. The request followed a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and came amid frustration over his playing time. Through nine games, McDonald had three sacks; one report said he had played 263 defensive snaps, while another described his share as below 45 percent.

Jets coach Aaron Glenn said McDonald would remain with the team. The reports did not establish whether the Jets would ultimately trade him before the deadline. New York also received inquiries about quarterback Geno Smith, but reportedly was not inclined to entertain them.